Genetic Variability and Distance of East Africa Cooking Banana (Musa sp.) Clones for Morpho-physicochemical Traits

摘要: Understanding the genetic variability and diversity of crops is basis for breeding improving crops. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at Dire Dawa, eastern Ethiopia to evaluate 11 cooking banana (Musa sp.) clones East Africa origin. The were planted in randomized complete block design with five replications. Genetic distance studied considering 19 morpho-physicochemical traits. differences among significant all traits except mean hand weight. Both phenotypic genotypic coefficients variation moderate high ranging from 6.67 57.22 1.21 47.26, respectively, low magnitude number leaves harvest, leaf breadth, total soluble solid. A positive more correlation than observed between bunch weights its components (mean weight hand, fruits per fruit weight). High heritability expected advance detected most traits, which ranged 3.30 91.24 0.39 68.71%, indicating expression these dependent on rather non-genetic factors. Clustering resulted two groups one group comprising single clone (Wendo Genet 3) while remaining 10 forming big group. In conclusion, results study have revealed presence considerable distances east African clones. demonstrated that higher yields could be achieved through indirect selection yield components. existence wider can utilized crop enhance food production income farming communities.